Water heater



9 L. F. MORGAN 1,930,424

WATER HEATER Filed July 7, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

BY QM i ATTORNEY.

Nov. 13, 1934. L. F. MORGAN WATER HEATER Filed July 7, 1953 2Sheets-Sheet 2 l l l i 3 47% i i a g I 'I 5 II I: I INVENTOR.

fizglwm L BY Mag v ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES WATER HEATER Leigh F. Morgan,Springfield, Mass.

Application July 7, 1933, Serial No. 679,377

Claims.

This invention relates to heating apparatus in its broad aspects and isdirected more particularly to improvements in heaters for supplying hotwater.

The principal objects of the invention are directed to the provision ofa heater which is constructed and arranged to be adapted for use eitheras a heating unit for a hot water supply system or as a heatinterchanger or indirect heater coupling such a system to a heating unitsuch as a boiler.

In the former case, the heater functions as the sole means of supplyinghot water, while in the latter case the water in the hot water system isheated by the boiler by means of the heater of the invention, and theheater may be used to supplement the boiler when coupled thereto.

According to one important object of the invention, the heater comprisesseparate primary and secondary compartments so constructed andarrangedin a novel manner and so related that the required amount ofwater in the primary compartment for efficient operation is ofcomparatively small volume and the heater may operate at pressures whichare substantially atmospheric. This not only makes it possible tooperate with efliciency and at low cost but the hazards accompanyinghigher pressures are eliminated and the necessity for safety devicessuch as temperature and pressure relief valves, fusible plugs and thelike is obviated.

According to another important feature of the invention, not only is theprimary compartment adapted for small volume for efficient andeconomical operation but it is associated with the secondary compartmentso as to facilitate the utmost efliciency of heat transfer. As a specialfeature, a combustion chamber and associated fiues are related to theprimary compartments so that only a minimum of heat is lost when theheater is operated as the sole means of heating water in the hot watersupply system.

According to another object of the invention a heater is provided whichhas water and heating passageways or compartments arranged in alternaterelation.

Various novel features of construction and advantages of the inventionwill be obvious from the following description thereof which forpurposes of disclosure is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Itwill be understood that various changes and modifications may be made inthe form of the invention as illustrated and therefore I do not wish tobe limited to the detail of the precise construction and arrangementshown. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevational view through a heater embodying thenovel features of the in- 9 vention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the heater shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of the heater shown in Fig. 1. i

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view on the line 4--4 of Fig. 1 with minordetails omitted.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the cap member of the heater.

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is an inverted sectional plan view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the combustion tube of the heater,and

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the lower portion of the central baflieof the heater.

Referring to the drawings more in detail the invention will now be fullydescribed.

The heater H preferably includes lower, intermediate and upper or capsections, 2, 4 and 6 respectively, which are suitably secured togetheras by bolts 8 to form a shell. If desired these parts may be madeintegral.

The lower section 2 has a lower wall 10 connected to a central upwardlyextending tubular wall portion 12 capped at 14. This tubular portion 12is similar to an inverted elongated cup and is preferably tapering in ageneral Way as shown. This may be called a combustion chamber. The wallportion 12 is preferably concentrically disposed relative to the wallsof the sections 2 and 4 and provides in co-operation therewith what maybe called a primary water compartment P.

A supporting flange 16 depends from the lower section 2 and is arrangedfor supporting the heater and forms a compartment 18 in the lower sidethereof.

A sub wall 20 is provided below wall 10 and a combustion tube 22 extendsupwardly therefrom in spaced relation with respect to the wall 12.Transverse walls 24, spaced apart as shown in Fig. 7, abut the flue 22and form a compartment therebetween. The space between walls 10 and 20around tube 22 leads into a flue 26 at one side of section 2 which fiuemay be connected by a pipe 28 to a stack or chimney. When it is desiredto associate heating means with the heater this may be accomplished inthe following manner.

A gas burner nozzle 30 may be associated with a plate 32 below tube 22.Of course an oil burner device may be employed if desired. A fuel supplypipe 34 is provided with a valve apparatus 36 which is adapted to beopened and closed by a temperature sensitive element 38 having a partdisposed in the primary compartment P. This mechanism forms no part ofthe inven tion but is shown by way of explanation and will embody thedesired and necessary controls and safety devices. Suffice it to saythat when a burner is used with the heater it will be desirable that theburner be controlled in its operation by 5 the temperature in theprimary compartment.

With the burner disposed as shown, the products of combustionpassupwardly in the tube 22 which as will be observed is relativelylong. The heat strikes the part 14 of the combustion chamber and thegases pass downwardly between the flue and wall 12 in passageway 13 andout flue 26. It will be noted that the hot gases are in contact with alarge area of wall of the primary compartment for the most efficienttransfer of heat and that the gases are not unduly obstructed but on thecontrary are caused to travel upwardly, downwardly and then upwardly tofacilitate the utmost efliciency' in operation.

A secondary water compartment which may be connected to a hot watersupply system is disposed entirely within the primary compartment. Thisin the embodiment of the invention shown is in the form of a pipe coilor coils 40 having opposite ends connected to upper and lower headers 42and 44. These headers are connected to pipes 46 and 48 which may beconnected to a hot water supply system or supply tank for a system.

A central bafile member 50 is provided which is tubular in form and isspaced from and surrounds the inner wall 12 or combustion chamber. Thishas an upper end wall 52 provided with one or more ports 54. Its lowerend rests on wall 10 and is provided with ports such as 56. Water in theprimary compartment outside of member 50 may circulate throughopenings56 in the lower side of member 50 into and upwardly through therelatively narrow passageway between wall 12 and bafile, as shown, andthen out the top of the baflle. In this way when the wall 12 is heatedthe water in the passageway 53 is heated to facilitate the circulationand accelerate the heating of the primary water.

Various openings are provided in the shell which are arranged so thatthe heater may be connected in various ways to a boiler or the like. Anyof the openings not used may be closed by suitable means such as theplugs 60, shown.

The heater as shown in Fig. l is arranged with a burner and may beconnected to a boiler or the like by means of pipes 62 and 64. This isso the primary water may be heated directly from the boiler or by meansof the burner or the burner may operate to heat the primary water inaddition to the heating by the boiler.

When the heater is not connected to a boiler the opening for pipe 64 maybe plugged and the opening for pipe 62 may be connected to a watersupply or open to atmosphere. When the heater is operated by the burnerthe primary water tends, as it is heated, to circulate upwardly throughthe space 53 between bafile 50 and wall 12, through port 54 in part 52and downwardly through a lower port or ports 56.

A horizontal baflle plate provided with ports 72 is disposed near thetop of the heater which facilitates the circulation mentioned. When theheater is connected to a boiler or other heating unit, water therefromenters through pipe 62, circulates as above described and passes outpipe 64.

Altogether there is a continuous circulation and since the primary wateris of substantially small volume and is in contact with relatively largesurface areas the heat transfer is rapid. It will be observed that it isnot necessary, according to this invention, to close the primarycompartment entirely wherefore the danger of building up excessivepressure is obviated and the resultant hazards eliminated.

It will also be seen that the primary water may be heated by the burneralone or that it may be supplied fron'ra boiler. In either case,-

the continuous circulation is. assured for the desired efliciency intransfering heatnto the secondary coils.

The invention is adapted for broad application and various changes maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope; therefore, whatI'desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, ashell having upper and lower and side walls with an inner wall extendingupwardly from the lower wall within the side walls and spaced therefromto form an annular primary water compartment about said inner wall, asecondary water compartment within the primary compartment and separatetherefrom, and a tubular baille member between the secondary compartmentand inner wall extending upwardly between said outer and inner walls andspaced therefrom to form a passageway between said secondary watercompartment and the inner wall provided with lower and upper portswhereby water in the primary compartment may circulate upwardly in saidpassageway.

2. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, ashell having outer walls capped by an upper end wall, a bottom wall,inner walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall in spaced relationwith respect to the outer walls arranged at their upper ends to form aheating chamber closed at its upper and open at its lower end and aprimary water compartment therearound, a secondary compartment aroundsaid chamber within the primary compartment and separate therefrom, acentral flue member extending upwardly within the chamber spaced fromthe inner walls and from the closed upper side of the chamber to providea continuous passageway upwardly within the flue member and downwardlybetween said member and said inner walls, a baflle member within theprimary compartment between the secondary compartment and inner wallsextending upwardly from the bottom wall and spaced from the inner wallsto form a passageway adjacent said inner walls.

3. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, ashell having outer walls capped by an upper end wall, a bottom wall,inner walls'extending upwardly from the bottom wall in spaced relationwith respect to the outer walls arranged at their upper ends to form aheating chamber closed at its upper and open 4 at its lower end and aprimary water compartment therearound, a secondary compartment aroundsaidchamber within the primary compartment and separate therefrom, acentral flue member extending upwardly within the chamber spaced fromthe innerwalls and from the closed upper bottom wall and spaced from theinner walls to form a passageway adjacent said inner walls, and aperforated baflle plate transversely disposed between the upper end ofsaid baflie member and said upper end wall of the shell.

4. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, ashell having outer walls capped by an upper end Wall, a bottom wall,inner walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall in spaced relationwith respect to the outer walls arranged at their upper ends to form aheating chamber closed at its upper and open at its lower end and aprimary water compartmenttherearound, a secondary compartment aroundsaid chamber within the primary compartment and separate therefrom, acentral flue member extending upwardly within the chamber spaced fromthe inner walls and from the closed upper side of the chamber to providea continuous passageway upwardly within the flue member and downwardlybetween said member and said inner walls, a bafile member within theprimary compartment between the secondary compartment and inner wallsextending upwardly from the bottom wall and spaced from the inner wallsto form a passageway adjacent said inner walls, the said inner wallsconvergingmpwardly to provide a widened entrance for the chamber.

5. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, ashell having outer walls capped by an upper end wall, a bottom wall,inner walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall in spaced relationwith respect to the outer walls arranged at their upper ends to form aheating chamber closed at its upper and open at its lower end and aprimary water compartment therearound, a secondary compartment aroundsaid chamber within the primary compartment and separate therefrom, acentral flue member extending upwardly within the chamber spaced fromthe inner walls and from the closed upper side of the chamber to providea continuous passageway upwardly within the flue member and downwardlybetween said member and said inner walls, a baflle member within theprimary oompartment between the secondary compartment and inner wallsextending upwardly from the bottom wall and spaced from the inner wallsto form a passageway adjacent said inner walls, the said inner walls,baffle member and flue converging from the lower ends thereof.

6. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, ashell having outer walls capped by an upper end wall, a bottom wall,inner walls extending upwardy from the bottom wall in spaced relationwith respect to the outer walls arranged at their upper ends to form aheating chamber closed at its upper and open at its lower end and aprimary water compartment therearound, a secondary compartment aroundsaid chamber within the primary compartment and separate therefrom, acentral flue member extending upwardly within the chamber spaced fromthe inner wall and from the closed upper side of the chamber to providea continuous V passageway upwardly within the flue member and downwardlybetween said member and said r inner wall, a bafile member within theprimary closing'the-upper ends thereof forming a water compartmentaround a heating chamber which is open at its lower side, a baffleextending upwardly between said outer and inner wall forming apassageway adjacent the inner wall, a coil in said compartment outsidesaid baflie, connections associated with the outer wall supporting saidcoil, a sub-wall spaced from and connected to said lower wall, wallportions associated with the lower and sub-wall forming a radiallydisposed flue and a flue member extending through the sub-wall upwardlyin said chamber and spaced from said inner wall to provide a passagewaytherebetween, the lower wall, sub-wall, wall portions and flue memberforming a chamber in communication with said passageway and flue.

8. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, alower wall, an outer wall and an inner wall extending upwardly therefromin spaced relation with wall members closing the upper ends thereofforming a water compartment around a heating chamber which is open atits lower side, a bafiie extending upwardly between said outer and innerwall forming a passageway adjacent the inner wall, a coil in saidcompartment outside said baflle, connections associated with the outerwall supporting said coil, a horizontal baffle in said compartment abovesaid first-named bafile having an opening therethrough, a sub-wallspaced from and connected to said lower wall, wall portions associatedwith the lower and sub-wall forming a radially disposed flue, and a fluemember extending through the sub-wall upwardly in said chamber andspaced from said inner wall to provide a passageway therebetween, thelower wall, sub-wall, wall portions and flue member forming a chamber incommunication with said passageway and flue.

9. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, ashell having upper and lower and side walls with an inner wall extendingupwardly from the lower wall within the side walls and spaced therefromto form an annular primary water compartment about said inner wall, asecondary water compartment within the primary compartment and separatetherefrom, a tubular baflie member between the secondary compartment andinner wall extending upwardlybetween said outer and inner walls andspaced therefrom to form a passageway between said secondary watercompartment and the inner wall provided with upper and lower portswhereby water in the primary compartment may circulate upwardly in saidpassageway, and a closure for the upper end of said bafile member.

10. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, ashell having upper and lower and side Walls with an inner wall extendingupwardly from the lower wall within the side walls and spaced therefromto form an annular primary water compartment about said inner wall,asecondary water compartment within the primary compartment and separatetherefrom, a tubular baffle member between the secondary compartment andinner wall. extending upwardly between said outer and inner walls andspaced therefrom to form a passageway between said secondary watercompartment and the inner wall provided with upper and lower portswhereby water in the primary compartment may circulate upwardly in saidpassageway, and a perforated bafiie plate transversely of the primarycompartment between the upper wall. and upper end of the baille member.

LEIGH F. MORGAN.

